Like other towns in southern Wyoming, Casper began as a way station on the many frontier trails that followed the North Platte River, first as a ferry crossing (log rafts were run by Salt Lake City–bound Mormons from 1847 to 1852; non-Mormons were charged $1.50) and later toll bridges, culminating with an elaborate plank bridge built by Louis Guinard in 1859. The second-largest city in Wyoming, only slightly smaller than capital city Cheyenne, Casper (pop. 49,644) is still dependent upon passing trade; its key location along the I-25 corridor has enabled Casper to survive the boom-and-bust variations in its other main industry, oil.
Most of the places of interest in Casper (which was originally spelled Caspar) have to do with the westward migration. Fort Caspar (daily; free; 307/235-8462), west of downtown off Hwy-220, is a New Deal–era replica of the original rough log fort and Pony Express station. There’s also a reconstruction of the Mormon-operated ferry, and displays of pioneer artifacts in the small museum. Just off I-25 exit 189 at 1501 Poplar Street, the new National Trails Interpretive Center (daily; $6; 307/261-7700) is designed to resemble a Conestoga wagon, and exhibits inside tell the stories of the 3,623 miles of historic pioneer trails all over the western United States preserved under the auspices of the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
While the rest of the city has a definite roughneck feel, downtown Casper is also rich in 1920s Americana, with a pair of great old movie theaters, rusty neon signs and art deco storefronts, plus one of the country’s largest cowboy clothing stores: Lou Taubert’s (307/234-2500) has over 10,000 pairs of boots and three floors of blue jeans, rhinestones, and other essential range-riding gear at 125 E. 2nd Street.
East of downtown, the one place you really ought to visit is the Nicolaysen Art Museum (closed Sun. & Mon.; free; 307/235-5247), housed in an imaginatively converted old power plant at 400 E. Collins Street, along the railroad tracks. The finest contemporary art museum in Wyoming, the Nicolaysen also has a permanent collection of Plains Indian arts and crafts, plus a hands-on art center for children.
On the west side of downtown, First Street Bakers (307/472-0255), at 260 W. 1st Street, has good coffees, teas, and baked goods. Casper’s accommodation options along the I-25 frontage include most of the national chains, where rooms run $40–75.
